When is a crime committed by an immigrant a deportable offense?

There are many laws in Florida that try to ensure people do not harm others or themselves. If people violate these laws, they commit crimes. If people are ultimately convicted of the crime, they could face different punishment depending on the severity of the offense. However, many people find out that the punishment from the court is not always the worse punishment that comes with a conviction.

Many times the collateral consequences affect people’s lives more than the punishment from the court. These punishments could be the loss of a job or not being able to live in a place that the person wishes to live. For immigrants, it could mean that they are deported from the U.S., according to U.S. immigration law.

There are number of crimes that are deportable offenses. These include, but are not limited to, crimes involving moral turpitude committed within five or ten years after entry depending on one’s immigration status, and the person was sentenced to at least one year of jail time; if a person commits more than one crime of moral turpitude at any point in time regardless of if they are sentenced to a year of jail or not; aggravated felonies; drug offenses other than possession of a small amount of marijuana; certain firearm offenses and others.

So, if a person is charged with one of these crimes it is important to know the potential immigration consequences. However, if an immigrant is ultimately convicted of these crimes, there may be ways avoid deportation and defenses available.

There are many immigrants in Florida, and some may commit crimes while in the state. These people may face deportation as well as any punishment handed down by the court for the criminal offense. It is important to understand the potential consequences and the potential ways to stay in the country if one is convicted of one of these crimes. Immigration attorneys understand these defenses and may be able to help protect one’s rights.

Source: Government Publishing Office, “Title 8 U.S.C. § 1251” accessed on Aug. 21, 2017